Local advisory committees for four coastal reserves will meet in March. The meetings are open to the public.
The meetings are being held to review the updated five-year management plan for the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. There will be an introduction to the management plan followed by a facilitated discussion.
- The Currituck Banks Reserve Local Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. March 13 at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, 1160 Village Lane in Corolla.
- The Rachel Carson Reserve Local Advisory Committee will meet at 4 p.m. March 15 at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Road in Beaufort.
- The Zeke’s Island Reserve Local Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m. March 16 at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area Education Room, 1000 Loggerhead Road in Kure Beach.
- The Masonboro Island Reserve Local Advisory Committee will meet at 3 p.m. March 16 at the UNC Wilmington Center for Marine Science, Habitat Conference Room, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane in Wilmington.
The committees consist of local residents, partners and leaders who provide the Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve staff with guidance and feedback regarding management of reserve programs and sites.
The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible traditional uses. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 42,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.